NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. — For 999 minutes Zach Hyman was on the ice with Auston Matthews at even-strength last season. It was a fact that drove some observers nuts.

The 25-year-old forward, who signed a four-year deal worth $9 million over the summer, spoke to The Athletic about his slotting on a line with Matthews and William Nylander, trying to score more goals this season and hanging out with former Leafs’ Darcy Tucker and Curtis Joseph earlier this month.

This is an edited transcript of that conversation.

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New contract. What was going through that process like for you? You’ve obviously been through it before, but not like this where you’ve established yourself as a player.

Zach Hyman: It’s a little different obviously because entry-level deals are pretty standard. (This time) I had rights – I had (arbitration) rights. But it was good. I wanted to be here for a long time. I love playing in Toronto. I love playing for...